Sex Claims MP Hancock Resigns Council Role

3 February 2014, 15:00

The Portsmouth MP Mike Hancock has resigned from his cabinet position on the local council amid sex harassment claims.

Mr Hancock had resigned the Liberal Democrat whip in the House of Commons in the summer over allegations he had harassed a troubled constituent although until last month he remained a Liberal Democrat councillor.

He has now resigned his position on the cabinet of Portsmouth City Council and will contest the May local council elections as an independent in an area in which he continues to remain a popular politician.

Mr Hancock, who has always denied the accusations, was suspended by the Liberal Democrats last month after a barrister's report that had been commissioned by the council into the claims became public.

In it, Nigel Pascoe QC said the complainant had provided "compelling prima facie evidence of serious and unwelcome sexual behaviour" carried out towards her by Mr Hancock dating back to 2009.

Mr Pascoe described the woman as "a straightforward and vulnerable person, angry and hurt by what she said had happened to her".